James Skoufis

Background

Skoufis was born in Flushing, Queens in 1987, the son of a Greek immigrant. His family moved north to the town of Woodbury in the Hudson Valley in 1995. He graduated from Monroe-Woodbury High School in 2005. He has a bachelor's degree from The George Washington University and a masters from Columbia University. Skoufis worked at Amerigard Alarm & Security Corporation and was on the Woodbury Town Board.

New York State Assembly

After redistricting in 2012 following the decennial census, long-time Republican Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun decided to retire, leaving the seat vacant. Skoufis received the Democratic nomination for the seat, defeating Larry Delarose at the party's county convention. In the November general election, he defeated Republican Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey with 56% of the vote. At age 24, he became the youngest member of the Assembly.

Skoufis introduced his first two bills within a week of being sworn in; both were inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Irene in 2011. Both bills passed the Assembly a few months later. Skoufis was an outspoken supporter of increasing the minimum wage. Early in 2014, Skoufis introduced Tuition-Free NY, a proposal to make SUNY and CUNY in New York State tuition-free as long as students fulfill community service and residency requirements.

New York State Senate

In 2018, longtime Senator William J. Larkin Jr. retired at age 88. He had served in the seat since 1991. Prior to Larkin's retirement, Skoufis was floated as a potential challenger. After Larkin announced his retirement, Skoufis entered the race. In a good year for Democrats, Skoufis defeated Republican Stony Point Councilman Tom Basile, 54 percent to 46 percent. Democrats also took the majority in the Senate in the same election.

In the Senate, Skoufis was the Chair of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations.

In 2023, Skoufis opposed plans for congestion pricing in Manhattan, citing the lack of viable transportation alternatives for his constituents. He called the congestion pricing plan "outright theft" and said he would support lawsuits to block the plan.

2025 Democratic National Committee Chair race

After Kamala Harris's loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election, Skoufis announced his intention to seek chairman role of the Democratic National Committee.

While running for the chairman, Skoufis declared his aspiration to "dismantle" the Green Party.

On January 16, 2025, Skoufis announced that he withdrew from the race and endorsed Ken Martin for the chairmanship.

Personal life

Skoufis married Hillary Lynn Stuchin on May 20, 2017. They have a daughter, born in 2021. He has two sisters.

Electoral history

New York State Assembly

New York State Senate

References

References

1. (November 7, 2012). "Election results: Skoufis wins Assembly race, Monroe Library budget approved".
2. "Biography". [[New York State Assembly]].
3. (May 27, 2012). "NY Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun retiring". [[Daily Freeman]].
4. Sullivan, John. (March 23, 2012). "Goshen's Roddey joins list of Calhoun's opponents". [[Times Herald-Record]].
5. (November 7, 2012). "Election 2012 – New York State Legislature". [[The New York Times]].
6. (January 5, 2013). "Skoufis introduces first legislation". Mid-Hudson News Network.
7. . (June 4, 2013). ["Assembly Passes Comprehensive Sandy Insurance Reform Package to Protect Homeowners and Businesses in the Event of a Natural Disaster"](https://nyassembly.gov/Press/20130604a/). *[[New York State Assembly]]*.
8. Gross, Hank. (March 29, 2013). "State budget increases minimum wage". [[WAMC]].
9. "New York State's Minimum Wage". [[Government of New York (state).
10. "The Journal News, "Editorial: Tuition-Free NY aids students and state"".
11. "Our Campaigns - NY State Senate 39 Race - Nov 06, 2018".
12. Kirby, Paul. "39th NY Senate District: Democratic Assemblyman Skoufis beats Republican Basile to take Larkin's seat".
13. "About James Skoufis".
14. Bellamy, Lana. (2023-12-07). "Congestion pricing closer to reality after MTA vote".
15. (November 30, 2024). "James Skoufis announces bid to lead DNC, becomes third to vie for chairmanship".
16. Epstein, Reid J.. (November 30, 2024). "After Democratic Losses, a Little-Known Lawmaker Wants to Lead the Party". The New York Times.
17. Manchester, Julia. (2024-11-30). "New York State Sen. James Skoufis throws hat in ring for DNC chair".
18. (2025-01-14). "New York State Senator James Skoufis Expresses Desire to Dismantle the Green Party".
19. "New York state Sen. James Skoufis ends bid for DNC chair".
20. Schneider, Elena. (2025-01-16). "Ken Martin gets another endorsement in DNC race as James Skoufis drops out".
21. (25 May 2017). "Hillary Lynn Stuchin and James G. Skoufis are wed".
22. "Ava Rose Skoufis, meet the world.".
23. "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012".
24. "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns November 4, 2014".
25. "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns Nov. 8, 2016".
26. "2018 Election Results {{!}} New York State Board of Elections".
27. "Certified Results from the November 6, 2018 General Election for NYS Senate".
28. "2020 Election Results {{!}} New York State Board of Elections".
29. "2022 Election Results {{!}} New York State Board of Elections".
30. "Certified November 5, 2024 General Election Results, approved 12.09.2024".